SpiroStar, the smallest lung function testing system in the world, weighing only 22 grams, meets the latest ATS/ERS spirometry standards. According to Finnish manufacturer Medikro, SpiroStar is one of the first lung function testing systems in the world to satisfy the new and changed requirements for the calculation of lung function testing.

Medikro made this announcement in preparation for the European Respiratory Society's (ERS) Annual Congress, in Munich, 2006.

Indispensable component of multi-level diagnostics for DMP asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Dynamic lung function tests are an indispensable component for the multi-level diagnosis of obstructive respiratory tract diseases. Within the scope of the Disease Management Programme for asthma and COPD, a lung function diagnosis is required for registering patients into this DMP programme . Because of the rapid increase in mortality due to obstructive respiratory tract diseases, scientists recommend that Family Physicians , especially, use the lung function test as a screening method in order to diagnose patients with asthma or COPD as soon as possible, and to be able to help them early on.

Spirometry standards of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS)
The current, worldwide-accepted spirometry standards were developed jointly by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS). The latest version of these standards was released in December 2005 . Among other things, the criteria for the reproducibility of tests were amended, and the allowed range of variation was reduced.

The SpiroStar lung function testing system, made by the Finnish company Medikro, is one of the first spirometers to meet the new ATS/ERS standards released in December 2005. The device is also the smallest lung function tester in the world: It weighs only 22 grams. The lung function tester can be operated easily, and can be directly connected to a PC through a serial interface or USB, delivering reproducible and reliable results. Together with its corresponding software Spiro2000, SpiroStar can be directly operated with all Windows-based operating systems, and can also be included in database and hospital information systems.

By satisfying the latest ATS/ERS standards, SpiroStar provides physicians with the assurance that it is conducting dynamic lung function tests according to the latest international scientific requirements. At the same time, the lung function testing system composed of SpiroStar and Spiro2000 offers a guarantee of reproducible, reliable and easily manageable test results. Another component of the system is the hygienic, disposable flow transducer. For calibration purposes, a calibrated, specially adapted and easy to operate calibration syringe is available./ins

Caption 1:
The SpiroStar lung function testing system can be directly connected to a PC, and delivers reproducible and reliable results.
© Medikro(www.inspressclub.com).

Caption 2:
Weighing 22 grams, the SpiroStar USB is the smallest lung function testing system in the world. It meets the new ATS and ERS spirometry standards released in December 2005.
© Medikro (www.inspressclub.com).

Information for the editor:
About Medikro: The Medikro Oy company was founded in 1977. Its main product is the spirometer – a lung function measuring system. The operation of Medikro's spirometer is computer-based; the software has been translated into 14 different languages and runs with all available Windows operating system versions.

Medikro has offices in Germany (Medikro GmbH, Wesel) and the United States (Medikro USA LLC).

You can find additional information about Medikro and its products on the Internet at www.medikro.com.


Contact and inquiries:

Juha Tuominen
Medikro Oy

Tel: +358 17 283 3000
Mobile: +358 44 777 7022
Fax: +358 17 283 3300

Address: Kellolahdentie 27, FIN-70460 Kuopio, Finland

E-mail: juha.tuominen@medikro.com

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